The Sustainable Manufacturing Imperative

The
Sustainable Manufacturing Imperative

By
Karen Savala, president, SEMI Americas

Companies
in the microelectronics manufacturing supply loop see “sustainability” as an
important objective in their operations as well as their business strategy. This trend has progressed far beyond the
niche players that traditionally positioned themselves as “green,” and, in our
industry, now includes virtually every significant IC manufacturer as well as a
broad base of their suppliers. While sometimes seen as a social, legal and
regulatory obligation, sustainability is increasingly considered a
differentiating factor in global competitiveness relative to the technologies and
products being provided.

Sustainable
manufacturing is the creation of manufactured products through
economically-sound processes that minimize negative environmental impacts while
conserving energy and natural resources. Sustainable manufacturing also
enhances employee, community, and product safety. A large
and growing number of manufacturers are realizing substantial financial and
environmental benefits from sustainable business practices and are driving
requirements through the supply chain.

One
example cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency pertains to two of
Freescale Semiconductor’s major energy-using systems that were assessed for
energy efficiency. Following the assessment, the company implemented projects
which included adjustments to water pumping and compressed air systems. As a
result, the company’s Oak Hill Fabrication plant in Austin, Texas reduced its
annual energy consumption by 28 million kWh of electricity and 26,000 million
Btu of natural gas over a three year period, with more than $2 million in
annual savings.

Now, key
industry trends that influence facilities purchasing decisions pertain to
issues such as energy
efficiency, pollution control, water conservation, environmental impact, climate
protection, conflict minerals in supply chains, as well as the ongoing
attention to safety and ergonomics.

Intel
Corporation says that technological advancement and environmental
sustainability should go hand in hand.
The company incorporates environmental performance goals throughout
their operations, seeking continuous improvement in energy efficiency,
emissions reduction, resource conservation, and other areas. As delineated on
the company’s web site, Intel strives to minimize the environmental impact of
its products—from design through disposal—and seeks innovative ways that
technology can help address long-term sustainability challenges. According
to their environmental reporting, TSMC requires equipment vendors to consider
water, power, and material conservation when designing new generations of
equipment, and also requires a long-term blueprint for carbon reduction and
future environmental strategy. TSMC also verifies that the energy performance
of each tool meets or exceeds conditions set in the procurement contract after
tool installation is completed. GLOBALFOUNDRIES
also states that environmental sustainability is at the core of high-volume
silicon manufacturing.

Accordingly,
SEMI members see an increasing amount and complexity of EHS performance and
reporting requirements from both customers and regulators. Throughout the electronics supply chain there
is increased scrutiny of environmental performance and SEMI has long maintained
an EHS program that encompasses the industry’s broadest network of EHS and
purchasing professionals dedicated to collaborating on regulatory, manufacturing
and fab facilities issues related to environmental impact.

Now we
are extending the spotlight on this important area. In
conjunction with SEMICON West and INTERSOLAR North
America,
SEMI is organizing a four-day Sustainable Manufacturing Forum to share information
about the latest technologies, products, and management approaches that
promote sustainable manufacturing. The Forum will feature twenty hours of
seminars / workshops / roundtable discussions in twelve distinct Sessions
as well as many structured opportunities for professional networking.

A
special exhibit pavilion will be associated with the Sustainable Manufacturing Forum to showcase companies and new
technologies from around the world that address sustainable manufacturing needs
for micro-electronics, nano-electronics, photovoltaics, solid state lighting,
electronic displays, and other high-tech products. The SEMICON West Sustainable
Manufacturing Pavilion will provide direct opportunities for companies to
market their value to a wide variety of customers and their supply chains
involved in high tech manufacturing.

Further
complementing the focus on products that improve sustainable manufacturing, the
Sustainable Technologies Award will recognize SEMICON West exhibitors who
provide equipment, materials, or services that contribute to the sustainable
improvement of the environment.

Together,
the Sustainable Forum, Pavilion and Award will support the industry’s
imperative for greater environmental, energy, and facilities performance.

I
sincerely hope that you will participate and join the new focus on sustainable
manufacturing at SEMICON West.